Inclosed switch



April 16, 1929. o. s. JENNINGs INCLOSED SWITCH Filed April 22, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet mw mm Ee WJ s. V 6 U h.. O

WlTNE-SSES:

AT'ToRNEY April 16, 1929. o. s. JENNINGS INCLOSED SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 22, 1927' liNvENToR ATT'o NEY Patented Apr. 16, 1929.

unirse lsr OLIVER JENNINGS, GF MANSFELD, 01H10, ASSIGNOKB, T0 WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC &, MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CYORPORA'lfON OF PENNSYLVANIA.

INCLGSED SWTCH.

Application filed April 22,

My invention relates to inclosed switch mechanisms and particularly to mine switches,

Ono object' et my invention is to provide an inclosed switch mechanism having provi sion tor preventing an opening movement of the switch door so long,` as the switch is in a Vclosed position and tor preventing a closing movement of theswiteh so long as the door is in an open position.

Another object ot my invention is to profide a switch mechanism wherein the casino; is made entirely'ot cast steel that is capable ot resik 'ug the pressures incident to the internal `explosions o'l accumulated .gasa f i/inother object ot my invention is to provide a switch housing with a sliding;` door and an interlocking mechanism whereby'the cover may be locked in a closed position so long' as the switch is in a closed position and the switch will be retained in an open position when the cover is in an open posit-ion.

A 'further object of my invention is to provide a switch mechanism having the above characteristics with means for operatingithe switch with a snap action and means :tor preventingany interterence` with the operation of the snap-action means.

These and other objects that will be made apparent throughout the further description `ot my invention may be attained by means ot the switch mechanism hereinafter describ d, and illusti ted in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figli. 1 is a view'oit aswitch mechanismV 'embodying features et my invention, the

cover beineV removed;

Fig'. 2 is a longitudinal section through the Aswitch housing, taken along the lines llll oi Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sections'imilar to Fig. 2, showing the switch and cover in open position;

Figi. i is a transverse section through a fragment of the housing` taken on the line lVlV of Fig; 2; andl y j isair exploded perspective view ot the switch-operating mechanism. Y

Referring to the drawings, `the switch mechanism includes a Vmetal housing' 1, a cover 10, a slidingdoor 2 disposed vin the cover 10, a switch l mounted on a rotatable shatt 5., terminals 34C and 35 mounted on an insulating base 36, terminals 3l andv 32 192'?. ySerial No. 195,684.,

pivotally connected to the interlocking` mem. -ber6 by the knee pivot pin 11 that extends inwardly through slot 22 in a bracket 30 which serves to limitmovement ot the knee pivot pin 11.

The switch 4 is biased toward an open position by a spring 12 that is connected, at one end, to a lever 21 secured to the switch et, and, at the `other end, to thfe bracket 30. The switch mechanism is providedl with an operating handle 13 which is l 29, the purposes of which are .hereinafter setv fort n The interlocking` member 6 is provided with an end-face 23 and an arcuate edge 54, the purposes of which are hereinafter set forth.

The switch t is tor controlling the main circuit to which it isA connected at terminals 31 and 32, and the housing incloses an auxiliary rotatable snap switch 33 ot any preferred type for controlling certain auxiliary ycircuit-s.

Terminals 341 and vareseeured to an insulatinobase 36 and are provided with main fuse clips 88 and 89 and corresponding terminals 40 and 4:1 provided with corresponding fuse clipsl2 and 13, respectively. Auxiliary fuse clips 114 and 45 are provided at the points between the clips 38 and 39 for the fuses connected to the auxiliary circuits. The auxiliary snap switch 33 is inclosed within the housingand, therefore, any eX- plosion which might result trom the ignition of gases therein is prevented from being transmitted to the atmosphere.

Referring to the operation ot my invention', upon movementof the handle 13 in an openingy direction, the interlocking member 17, which is movable with the handle 13, is rotated on the shaft 7 in a clockwise direction. The shoulder 19 of the interlocking` member 17 engages the pin 11 and moves it past dead center ot the pin 9 and the shaft 7, causing the switch to move to open position, with a snap action, by the spring 12. The pin 11 nieves within the slot 22 which is connected to the switch l by the 'toggle link 8 and the interlocking member G, causing the latter to rotate in a clockwise direction until its endface 23 has moved out of the path ot the arcuate tace 2li ot the longitudinal web Q5 on the under side of the door 2. The interlocking member is prevented from further clockwise movement by engagement oft the pin 11 with the face 2G of the slot Q2 when the switch is in open position. rllhe endace 23 of the interlocking member 6 is disposed against the surface ot the web Q on the door 2 when the door is open and prevents closing movement of the switch so long as the door is in that position.

The interlocking member 17, which is movable with the handle, prevents opening movement of the door by means ot the 'face 27 pressing against Jthe longitudinal web 25 et the door until the handle 13 is mover. to its open position. The arcuated edge S7 oit the interlocking member 17 extends above the arcuate edge 54 oit the interlocking member (l and thereby prevents any opening movement olf the door trom interfering with the snap action oi the switch l and interlocking member 6.

The snap action is made possible by the lost-motion connection between the interlocking member 17 and the interlocking member G, as will be apparent lrom the drawings. As soon as the tace 19 of the interlocking member 17 carries the pin 11 past dead center ot the pin 9 and the shatt 7, the switch will be moved to open position with a snap action by the spring 12, and the end-tace 2510iI interlocking member (3 will pass out oi the path ot' the arcuate er'lge 24 of the door prior to the end-tace 27 ot interlocking member 17.

lVbC-n the interlocking` member '17 is moved to open position by the handle 13, both the tace 23 ot the interlocking member' G and 'face 27 ot interlockii'ig member 17 will have passed out ot the path ot the web 25 of the door so that the door may then he moved to open position. As long as the door remains in an open position, the :tace QS olf interlocking` men'ibei.' G and tace 27 of interlocking member 17 are pressed againifit the web 25 oit the door and therel'iy prevent any closing movement of the switch so long as the door is in an open position.

Upon moving the door to its closed position, the switch l may be closed by moving the handle 153 toward closed position. Upon movement ol: the handle towards closed position, the arcuate edge 37 oit the interlocking member 17, which is movable with the haudle 13, engages the arcuate edge ot the door and thus prevents opening movement of the door and the face 29 et the interlocking member 17 presses against the pin 11., moving it paso lead conter ot the pin 9 and sb aft 7 and causing the switch l to be moved to its closed position.

The arcuated edge 37 o't. the interlocking member 17, extending higher than the arcuate edge 51- ot the interlocking member (5, prevents the arcuate edge 2li-li oit the door trom interfering with the closing movement ot the .interlocking member C. The arcuate edge 37 ot 'the interlocking member 17, pressing against the arcuate tace 21- ot the door, prevents opening movement et the door so long ai; the switch is in its closed position.

My invention provides a combination ot tvo interlocking members one ot which is movable with the switch and prevents anj.v opening movement ot the door when the switch. is in closed position and any closing movement ot the door so long as the switch is .in open position. The other interlocking member, which is movable by the switchhandle is provided tor protecting the interlocking member moved by the switch trom any inter terence due to attempt to open the door before the switch is in open position.

Interlocking member 17 which is movable with the handle 13, actuales the seeoml interlocking member 6 and, by means ot the lost-motion connection het veen the two interlocking members, the interlocking member G, which is movable with the switch, is permitted to reach its full open position prior to the interlocking member 17 movable by the handle.

The arcuate edge 37 ot theinterlocking member 17 is always in contact with the arcuate 'tace Qflot the door when the interloclfting member G is in movement eitlier to an open or closed position and thereby prevents any n'essure applied to the door from inter-'tering in any way with the interlockingmember G. 1t thereby assures a .snap action in the opening and the closing movenient oli the switch 4, as a result oi" which the interlocking member reaches its 'full open or closed position prior to the interlocking member 17. 1t is etten the case, in this type ot a switch mechanism, that the operator endeavors to open the switch and the door at the same time. .lly the combination oit the tivo interloekin members provided by this invention, the operator is prevented iirom moving the door towards an open position until the switch is opened and it will be seen from the drawings that it is likewise necessary lior the door to be completely closed betere any closing movement o'lf the switch can take place.

It is ott-en the case that gases accumulate inside the housings oi switches ot this type CII which they are cooled before they are p r-- niitted to escape into the atmosphere.

lVhile ll have described and illustrated only one embodiment ot my invention, it

will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, additions and omissions maybe made therein without departing tromy the` spirit and scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims;

I claim as my invent-ion:

1. A switch mechanism comprising a housing, a cover therefor, a. rswitch within. the housing, an interlocking membermovable with the switch and interlocked with the cover for preventing opening movement of the cover so long as the switch is in closed position and preventing closing movement ot' the switch so longas the covei is in open position, an operating handle, an interlocking member movablev with the handle and so interlocked with the cover that the latter is retained in closed position until the switch has been moved to open position in response to movement ot the handle and a lost-'meti on connectionr between the switch andv the handle.

2. A switch mechanism comprising a housing, a cover therefor, a switch mounted within the housing, an Vinterlocking member movable with theA kswitch and interlocked with theV cover for preventing opening movement of the cover so long as the switch is in closed position andv preventing closing movement of the switch so long as the cover is in open position, an operating handle, an interlocking membermovable rwith the handle and interlocked with the cover tor preventing opening' movement ot the cover when the switch is in closed position and for actuating the interlocking member movable with the, switch for opening the switch prior to the time at which the interlocking members move out or" ythe path ott-he cover, a lost-motionconnection between; the handle and the interlocking member movable with the switch so that, noon the opening movel ment of the handle, the interlocking meniber carried by the handle actuates the interlocking member movable with the switch to cause an opening movement oit the switch prior to the time at which the interlocking members move out of 'the path of the cover.

3. A switch mechanism comprisingr a housing,fasliding cover therefor, a switch within the housing, an operating handle, an interlocking member movable with the handle, an interlocking member nii'ivablc with the switch, both interlocking members 'being interlcckcd with the cover ttor preventing openi d' movement the ot so long as the switch is in its closed position and YFor preventing closing movement ct 'the switch so long as the cover is in open position, a lost-motion connection between the operating handle and the switch. whereby the interlocking member n'iovablefwith the handle vactuates the interlocking` nieniber movable with the switch:toi-'opening the switch prior to the time at which the. interlockingmenibers permit opening movement ot the cover.

4l. A switchmechanism comprising a lionsing, a sliding cover therefor, a switch within the housing, an interlocking member .movable with the switch and interloeked with the cover, an operating handle, an interlocking member movable with the handle and interlocked with the'cover, a. lost-motion connection between the interlocking incinbermovable with the handle and the interlocking member movable with the switch,

AAD, r t member rotatably movable with the witch and interlocked with the cover 'for prevent.-

ving opening movement oit the cover so .long

as the switch is in closed position and for preventing closing movement of the switch solong as the cover is in open position, an

operating handle, an interlocking member movable with the handle and interlocked with the cover, a lost-motion connection b tween'the .interlocking member movable with the handle and the interlocking member movable with the switch whereby, upon movement of the handle, the interlocking member movable with the handle actuates the interlocking member moi-able iith the switch. to cause opening move-ment ot the switch prior to the time at which the in- `Jtei-locking members permit opeifiing movementot the cover.

6. A switch mechanism compri;` ing, a cover therefor, a switch momia.v l in the housing, a plurality ot interlocking members, an operating handle, means 1for so disposing the interlocking members that one interlocking member movable with the switch and another interlocking inember is movable with the handle, both interlocking members being interlockcd with the cover for vpreventing opening movement thereof so longas the switch is in its closed position and ior preventing closing movement oli the cover so long as thswitch is in an open position, and a lost-motion con,- nection whereby, upon movement of the operating handle, the interlocking member movable by the handle actnates the interlocking member movable with the switch to cause opening movement oit the switch prior to the time at which the interlockiiig members permit the opening movement ot the cover, said interlocking members being so disposed as to prevent c movement oit Ythe switch so long as the cover in its open position.

7. ln a switch structure, the combination with a sliding cover7 an operating handle having an interlocking member movable therewith, a rotatalile switch having an interlocking member mrrvable therewith and means for so disposing the interlocking member movable with the operating handle that it will be interi cked with the sliding cover, olli a lost-motion corniection between the operating handle and the switch, whereby the interlocking' member mov: ble with the handle actuates the interlocking member movable with the switch to cause opening movement ol? the switch betere the interlocking member movable with the handle releases the cover.

S. A switch mechanism comprising a housing, a cover therefor having a door therein, a switch within the housing, an interlocking member movable with the switch and interlocked with the door 'for preventing opening movement ol the door so long as the switch is in closed position and preventing closing movement; ot the switch so long as the door is in open position, an operating handle, an interlocking member movable with the handle and so inter-locked with the door that the latter is retained in closed position until the switch has been moved-to open position in response to movement. of the handle, a lost-motion connection between the switch and the handle and a resilient member cooperating with the switch and the lostanotion connection to cause quick opening movement of the switch.

S). A switch mechanism comprising a housing, a cover therefor having a sliding door therein, a switch mounted within the housing, an interlocking member movable with the switch and interlocked with the door ior preventing opening movement of the door so long as the switch is in closed position and prevent closing movement of the switch so long as the door' is in open position, an operating handle, an interlocking member movable w/ith the door and inter-locked with the door for preventing opening movement ot the door when the switch is in closed position and actuating the interlocking member movable with the switch for opening the switch prior to the interlocking member moving out of the path of the door, a. lostmotion connection between the handle and the interlocking member .movable with tln` switch so that, upon opening movement of the handle, the iiiterlocking member caru ried by the handle actuates the interlocking member movable with the switch to cause opening movement of the switch prior to the interlocking member moving out ol' the path of the door.

l0. A switch mechanism comprising a housing, a door therefor, a switch within the housing, an interlocking member mounted on a shaft within the housing and movable with the switch and interlocked with the door, an operating handle, an interlocking member movable within the door and intern locked with the door, a lost-motion connec tion between the interlocking member movable with the door and` the interlocking member movable with the switch whereby, npon n'iovement of the operating handle in an opening direction, the vinterlocking member carried by the handle actriates 'the interlocking member movable with the switch to cause opening movementr ot the switch prior to the interlocking member permitting opening movement of the door.

1 1. A switch mechanism comprising a housing, a sliding cover therefor, a switch within the housing, an operating handle, an interlocking member mo *able with the handle, an interlocking member movable with the switch, both interlocking members interlockod with the cover for preventingl opening niovement oli the cover so long as the switch is in its closed position and 'tor neventing (,flosing movement ot the switch so long the cover is in its open position, a lost-motion connection between the operating handle and the switch, whereby the interlocking member movable, with the handle actuates the interlocking member movable with the switch for opening the switch prior to the interlocking member permitting opening movement ot the cover.

In testimoniT whereof, 'I have hereunto subscribed my name this 13th da;f ot April, 1927. Y

OLIVER S. JENNINGS. 

